Category Archives: politics

Live Tonight Talking Government 2.0

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I know its late and there is the Skins vs. Cowboys game on, and yes True Blood and Dexter, but you can DVR all of that and talk shop with me. Tonight at 11pm EST, please join me live in a discussion where I will be a panelist.

For the twitter crowd who know what these @’s mean, you can follow along with the panelists in their streams and in the future.

Topics on Fire Podcast w/me (@immunity) @geechee_girl @leslieann44 @justinherman @casualrepartee @you2gov talking Gov 2.0 and social media and what it means for the Presidential Transition at 11PM EST. For the original scoop, you can read all the details over on Uptown Uncorked.

You can listen online and chat live with us adding your points as we “kick off the digital work week”, with our thoughts. This is great timing following President-Elect Barack Obama’s first post-election Interview that was on earlier tonight on 60 Minutes. I jotted down a few things he said and will probably try to bring up during our chat tonight.

And my apologies to our new Skins Corner DeAngelo Hall. My fat-fingered blackberry typing spelled your name wrong on an earlier “tweet” tonight.

Privacy in Voting

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Earlier today, my colleague asked me who I voted for when I came into the office. A few minutes later, @fox5newsedge asked:

TWITTER QUESTION to use on the air at 6 tonight. Is it rude to ask someone who they voted for? And why/why not?

My answer for years is has been, that since it is my right to vote as a citizen, then it is my right to keep my votes private. I reserve this right to not be judged by gut and informed decisions on the matters I choose to cast a ballot.

Later on some of my colleagues asked me if that is sending a mixed message? Knowing that I plan to run for Senate one day in the great state of Maryland, my voting record once I got into public office would be public. I say that is a totally different matter. As a private citizen, I reserve the right to keep my votes private should I choose.

Once I get into public office, when it comes to local and federal elections, I will more than likely stay steadfast in keeping my votes to my heart. But when it comes to representing my future constituents, then yes, I want to be accountable for my record as I want to vote for what the people who put me in office support.

For a test, I went to the ACLU congressional scorecard and found for my locale in MD:

Senator Barbara A. Mikulski
First Elected: 1986
Next Election: 2010

Lifetime score: 68%

Senator Benjamin ‘Ben’ L. Cardin
Democrat, Maryland

First Elected: 2006
Next Election: 2012
Lifetime score: 93%

As a Libertarian, I have voted for democrats, republicans and other independents in the past. I have long felt that a two party system does not fairly represent all the citizens of the United States and was proud to see today on the ballot names of not only other Libertarians, but other independents as well. This gives me hope that eventually the independents will have a voice.

Additionally, since I mentioned it, that I do want to run for Senate in MD. My next opportunity is in 2010 against Mikulski. I hope to find your support along the way to reach that goal and if you would like to be a part of my campaign, even better.

So what do you think? Do you keep your votes private?